

Here are a few of the ways in which the Teatro del Sale is unusual.
You must join the Circo-lo, a social circle, to enter. A one year membership is 5 Euro. Lunch is a flat 20 Euro, dinner is a flat 30 Euro and includes a show of some kind.
Cool and room temperature dishes are served at a table at the back of the small auditorium on small plates. Sample what you like, pass by the things that don’t interest you. Throughout the meal the dishes are replenished and new dishes appear. These dishes include salads, polentas of various types, small pieces of veal served in a tomato sauce, an interesting combination of cubed beets and potatoes served with thin sliced red onion and dressed with oil and wine vinegar. (Does it sound strange? It was really good. If we can figure out how to prepare it, we may inflict it on you after we get back.)
During the meal a cook in the kitchen will open a glass Dutch door from time to time and announce in a booming voice that a hot dish is being served at that moment. At the beginning of the meal the cook will offer hot schiacciata, thin crusty Florentine bread, brushed with oil, salted, with a touch of rosemary. Later a pasta course will be offered. Finally a meat course will be announced, chicken, sausages, marinated pork which has been turning on a spit in the kitchen. With each announcement a line forms at the kitchen and diners take little plates back to their tables.
The atmosphere is very festive. The little plates pile up and are taken away. This is the most fun of the meal.
The meal winds down and staff members offer coffee and dessert. When we were there last the dessert was, among other choices, small pieces of a soft, chewy intensely-chocolate cake.
Diners may serve themselves with red or white wine and still or sparkling water. Coffee and dessert are included. There is no need to tip.
Sounds delightful! Italy's version of tappas w/ drinks included! Get me a membership. I'll be right over! xoxo
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